Harry settles into jackaroo life

Prince Harry was settling into life on Tooloombilla Station in Queensland today after reports that he had threatened to abandon his trip because of the intense media interest.

The press quoted the prince's minder and trusted friend Mark Dyer as saying the teenage royal was "in pieces" and that he had said "he might as well go home".

But a Clarence House spokeswoman insisted: "Things have settled down. Harry appears to be fine now."

Aides are hoping the media frenzy surrounding 19-year-old Harry will subside and confirmed he would remain at the Tooloombilla Station in Queensland where he will learn to be a jackaroo.

Ex-army officer Dyer left the 16,000 hectares property in a convoy, prompting the awaiting press pack to believe the young prince had jumped ship.

Dyer, who accompanied Prince William during part of his gap year and who is a former aide to the Prince of Wales, was due to leave after helping Harry settle in at the farm.

Sunday newspapers reported Dyer as saying that Harry was "in pieces" and that his security has been "seriously compromised".

He was said to have told reporters: "This is a young man who was born to it, who is not comfortable being on display.

"He does not like having to stand in front of the cameras like David Beckham."

The newspapers also claimed Dyer reported that the Harry had said: "I can't be a jackaroo. I can't go out. I can't do anything. I can't go to the rodeo. I might as well go home".

It was believed to be quiet around the ranch at this stage, with the Australian Associated Press reporting that camera crews had packed up and left.

Royal sources previously indicated that Harry, who is third in line to the throne, might have to re-think his three-month stay in the country if he were not left in peace.

On Thursday, the Prince of Wales' press secretary said Prince Harry wanted to enjoy his Australian outback experience without the world's cameras focused on him, and issued a plea to the media to leave him in peace.

Locals holding an annual rodeo in Mitchell this weekend had hoped the teenager would drop in on the event which is being held 90km from the cattle station.

Organisers had ordered three extra kegs of beer and spare spirits in honour of Harry, the Courier-Mail reported.

But a Clarence House spokeswoman said: "I think it's unlikely he would attend given everything that's happened. It would turn into a media frenzy."

Film footage of the teenage prince at the cattle station would be made available in the future, she said.

The ranch is owned by the late Diana, Princess of Wales's long-time friend Annie Hill, and her husband Noel, the son of millionaire polo star Sinclair Hill, who has coached the Prince of Wales.

Harry will spend three months at the ranch as part of his gap year.

Harry's older brother, Prince William, travelled to some of the most remote parts of Patagonia in southern Chile with charity Raleigh International during his gap year.

But he was also initially stalked by freelance photographers during his 10-week expedition.